Maria ClaireEASTWOODRespected religious education teacher whose values and principles of fairness, inclusion and learning leave a long and lasting legacy. Claire Eastwood was born in Cookstown, Northern Ireland in 1946 to local businessman Billy Eastwood and his wife Monica, the eldest of eleven children. Claire attended The Convent Grammar school in Magherafelt and was employed with the Ulster Bank before progressing to teacher training college, embarking on a 36-year teaching career in secondary education. Claire took her first and only job at St Paul's School for Girls in Birmingham, a Catholic school founded in 1908, well regarded for its academic success. The school shaped Claire and indeed Claire shaped St Paul's and generations of girls through her Religious Education classes in making real the understanding and application of faith into life lessons and ethical signposts. Claire believed in, and lived out daily, the values of fairness, generosity, justice, inclusion and learning. She challenged, encouraged, and guided her pupils. Most importantly she empowered the girls for life beyond GCSEs and A-Levels. Claire could command her classroom, her colleagues, and indeed any room and audience with the softest of her northern Irish tones. She was brilliantly intelligent, formidable, quick-witted, thoughtful, and wise. Claire's friendship network was an eclectic mix of people and personalities, but all drawn to and charmed by Claire's integrity and warmth. Claire was a profound thinker and writer, possessing a depth of thought and a powerful clarity of insight. Her writings and thoughts were frequently requested for weddings, funerals, family occasions, retirements, school assemblies, UCAS forms, and job applications. Coupled with being an outstanding orator, Claire left a legacy and impression through her words and her view of life. Her modesty never quite allowed her to appreciate just how quoted she was in her phrasing and writings. Retirement in 2006 allowed for more time to enjoy her hobbies of gardening, dog walking, charity support, nature, visiting family and friends, reading, concerts and exhibitions. Claire was determined to stay active and be fully engaged during retirement. Illness was to interrupt Claire's retirement in 2017. In fighting her illness, Claire always displayed the acceptance, commitment, faith, hope, grace, perseverance, prayer and style that so defined her. Claire spent her last days in Cookstown; she had returned to the place of her roots, to her loving family, and to the place she called "home". Claire is survived by her three brothers: Des, Jim, Liam and her seven sisters: Fidelma, Roisin, Eimear, Eithne, Zita, Elinor and Michèle. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday 16th March at 10.30am in the New Hall, St Paul's School for Girls, Vernon Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Maria Claire Eastwood, teacher and friend, was born on 12 August 1946. She bravely fought illness and died 16 November 2018, aged 72.
Keep me informed of updates
Leave a tribute for Maria
